- AQA
Durham Cathedral - historical context themes
I can recall and apply key themes from the historical context of Norman England.
- AQA
Durham Cathedral - historical context themes
I can recall and apply key themes from the historical context of Norman England.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- There are three key topics making up the historical context of Norman England.
- 'Norman conquest and control' covers causes of the conquest, military aspects and establishing and maintaining control.
- 'Life under the Normans' covers feudalism and government and economic and social changes and their consequences.
- 'The Norman Church and monasticism' covers the Church and monasticism.
Keywords
Inheritance - receiving property or other items from a parent or other after their death
Patronage - the support that an overlord provided to their vassal in return for homage
Romanesque - an architectural style inspired by the buildings of ancient Rome
Investiture - the ability to choose and appoint bishops and abbots
Vernacular - the language spoken by ordinary people in a region or country
Common misconception
The Anglo-Saxon Church was old-fashioned and corrupt.
The Normans were keen to present the Anglo-Saxon Church that way, but Edward the Confessor had kept up with reforms from the rest of Europe.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Complete the sentence: The cathedral's scale and grandeur were unprecedented in England; it was built on similar proportions to St Peter’s in Rome.
Q2.Complete the sentence: Durham Cathedral is a prime example of Norman architecture, characterised by its huge proportions, thick walls and rounded arches.
Q3.Match each architectural feature of Durham Cathedral with what it symbolises.
signifies grandeur and stability in Norman Romanesque style
shows innovative engineering
symbolises Normans' power and strategic advantage
reflects continuity with earlier church designs and traditions
Q4.Match the evidence about Durham Cathedral to whether it shows change and continuity.
ribbed vaulting, dual role of prince-bishop, Church leaders replaced
use of local saints, traditional church design, Anglo-Saxon motifs
Q5.The Normans' innovative architectural techniques paved the way for a later architectural style, which style was this?
Q6.How did the location of Durham Cathedral contribute to its strategic importance?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the terms to the correct definition.
the ability to choose and appoint bishops and abbots
support that an overlord provided to their vassal in return for homage
receiving property or other items from a relative after their death